EP5 vs GX7

LMNCT wrote:

...There are times when the EVF comes in handy even if you do not use it all the time and having one which folds down into the body rather than having the extra piece on top is a plus. Adding the eye cup makes that EVF very pleasant to use...

Coming from the E-M5, when I wanted some of the new features like WiFi and 8000/s I first tried the GX-7 and hated the EVF that stuck out so far from the body. I wanted the smaller body to have something that could more easily go into cargo shorts or coat pocket with a prime and the way that EVF stuck out it made it annoying to take in and out of my pockets. Also hated that the EVF to LCD autoswtch relationship was not something I could just switch manually. Many times handling that camera the LCD live view would turn off because I brushed an area close to the EVF by accident. I prefer the Olympus where, if I don't like the autoswitch I could turn that off and just toggle with a button.

Funny thing was it wasn't until after I was testing the GX-7 that I discovered that I had overlooked that Olympus had made the EP5. I bought a deal last year that had the 17mm and VF4 bundled for an awesome price and jumped on it. The firmware update thankfully fixed any SS issues that were the camera's fault.

Even though the EP5 doesn't have the VF attached all the time, I actually found I preferred that to an eyecup that stuck out that I could do nothing about. On the rare times I need the VF, I could attach it (although it does make it bulkier than the GX-7, of course). Most times, I don't need the VF at all.

I may upgrade out of the EP5 if they definitely make an EP6 with video more on par with the Panasonics (IE 60fps & better quality/bitrates) or GX-(8)? has full-time IBIS and fix of my EVF peeves.

These are my preferences for wanting a micro 4/3 that fills a specific role for me, but you may feel differently on what's more important if this is to be your main camera.